Several leading footballers have ended their international careers following the 2026 FIFA World Cup, bringing major chapters in their national teams’ histories to a close.
Lionel Messi, Neymar, Riyad Mahrez and Manuel Neuer are among the prominent names stepping away. Several African stars, including Édouard Mendy, Iñaki Williams and Seko Fofana, have also announced their retirement from international football.
The decisions affect only their national-team careers. Some of the players may continue playing for their clubs.
Lionel Messi, Argentina
Lionel Messi announced his retirement from international football after representing Argentina at the 2026 World Cup.
Reuters reported that the 39-year-old is expected to make a farewell appearance against Benin on 6 October. He has scored 125 goals in 207 appearances for Argentina.
Messi leaves as one of international football’s most successful players. He captained Argentina to the 2022 World Cup and helped the country win two Copa América titles.
Neymar, Brazil
Neymar confirmed that he had played his final match for Brazil following the World Cup.
FIFA and ESPN reported his decision after Brazil’s campaign ended. The forward leaves international football as Brazil’s leading men’s goalscorer.
Neymar represented his country at several major tournaments and helped Brazil win the men’s football gold medal at the 2016 Olympic Games.
James Rodríguez, Colombia
James Rodríguez announced his international retirement on 15 September, ending a 15-year career with Colombia.
The midfielder made 131 appearances, leaving him level with goalkeeper David Ospina as Colombia’s joint record appearance-holder.
James became a global star at the 2014 World Cup, where he scored six goals and won the tournament’s Golden Boot.
Manuel Neuer, Germany
Germany goalkeeper Manuel Neuer has also brought his international career to an end.
Neuer initially retired from international football in 2024 but later returned to represent Germany at the 2026 World Cup.
He was a central figure in the German side that won the 2014 World Cup in Brazil.
Guillermo Ochoa, Mexico
Mexican goalkeeper Guillermo Ochoa retired after appearing at his sixth consecutive World Cup.
Ochoa became one of the competition’s most recognisable goalkeepers through a series of memorable performances for Mexico.
FIFA included him among the prominent players who retired following the 2026 tournament.
Riyad Mahrez, Algeria
Riyad Mahrez announced his retirement after Algeria’s exit from the World Cup.
The former Manchester City winger scored twice during the tournament. He was also an important member of the Algerian team that won the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations.
Édouard Mendy, Senegal
Édouard Mendy announced his retirement from Senegal duty in September.
AFP, as reported by Ahram Online, said the goalkeeper ended his international career after making 59 appearances.
Mendy helped Senegal win its first Africa Cup of Nations title at the delayed 2021 tournament, which was played in 2022.
Iñaki Williams, Ghana
Athletic Club forward Iñaki Williams retired from international football following Ghana’s World Cup campaign.
Reuters reported that Williams made 28 appearances and scored twice for Ghana after switching his international allegiance from Spain in 2022.
Edin Džeko, Bosnia and Herzegovina
Veteran striker Edin Džeko has announced that he will leave the Bosnia and Herzegovina national team.
The country’s record goalscorer is expected to make his final international appearance against Sweden on 2 October.
Džeko has been one of Bosnia and Herzegovina’s most important players since making his senior debut in 2007.
Seko Fofana, Côte d’Ivoire
Seko Fofana announced his retirement from international football on 14 September.
The midfielder made 34 appearances and scored seven goals for Côte d’Ivoire. He was part of the team that won the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations on home soil.
The retirements mark the end of an era for several national teams. They will now begin rebuilding ahead of the next cycle of continental competitions and World Cup qualifiers.
